The Missouri Department of Transportation reminds you that traffic will be heavier on Missouri’s interstates and roadways for Mizzou football’s home opener Saturday in Columbia.

Faurot Field in Columbia (photo/Emily Dayton)

Mizzou expects a crowd of about 55,000 for the game against Eastern Michigan. MODOT’s Sally Oxenhandler says the agency will have extra staff in Columbia to handle emergency maintenance situations or to assist the Missouri Highway Patrol with traffic control.

“When Mizzou fans gear up for the first home game, we do too. We know that there will be more folks out traveling to get to the game and people come from all over the state to see Mizzou play in Columbia,” Oxenhandler says.

“At peak travel times, that can cause some traffic delays. So we do want to remind people that there is that work zone still in place and that if they are heading to the game and they have to cross the bridge, they should allow for some extra time,” Oxenhandler says.

MODOT has also been mowing and cutting brush around the University, to clear roadways and sidewalks. Oxenhandler says agency staff has been monitoring traffic signals at major intersections around Mizzou for several weeks.

“We typically do that, especially as we know that school is heading back into session all around schools throughout the state, and at Mizzou in this instance,” Oxenhandler says.

Oxenhandler encourages motorists to check modot.org before they travel. You can also call MODOT 24 hours a day to check road conditions at 1-888-ASK-MODOT.

Kickoff is set for 6:30 Saturday night at Faurot Field in Columbia. You can hear the broadcast on the Tiger Radio Network.